REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 13, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 13th day of August, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Watson presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parmater, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are receive and file the council meeting minutes of July 23rd, approve invoices, receive and file the July revenue and expenditure report, the Park and Rec. Board meeting minutes of July 9th and Library Board meeting minutes of July 8th, approve the renewal of a class c beer permit with Sunday sales for John’s Qwik Stop and approve the new address of 217 W 4th Street for the class b native wine permit with Sunday sales for L Marie Boutique.
Council received a report from Vinton Community Foundation on their planned distribution of 2015 LOST funds. Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to disburse $17,784 to the Vinton Community Foundation. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Clerk reported a thank you from VMEU for allowing them to temporarily set a transformer on the 4th Street city parking lot. The transformer is now on its new base near the distribution building.
Vinton Unlimited requested street closings for BoomFest vendors and activities downtown, along 4th Street and 1st Avenue on August 29th. Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve this request. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Bendull, second by Parmater to approve a request from the Kiwanis for a 5K route on August 29th. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a notice to abate a nuisance at 615 A Avenue. Owners Tim and Jane Osborn requested the hearing and were present. They stated they keep their lawn mown short. They said they have improved the property. They have a black net instead of a chain link fence. They stated how they decorate their property is their personal preference. Tall weeds in the back of their property are the backyard neighbor’s, not theirs. Other properties in the neighborhood need to be cleaned up. Mayor Watson will walk by the neighborhood. This topic will be on the council agenda again.
Tionna Pooler, a municipal financial advisor with Independent Public Advisors, recommended postponing the bond sale. She is working with bond counsel, Dorsey and Whitney to review reporting requirements associated with bond offerings.
Nate Kass, Fehr Graham Engineers, reported they are making progress on the E 3rd Street design. They are recommending removing some trees along the south side of this street. An informational meeting will be held on Sept. 2nd. The soil testing results were good.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION CONFIRMING WATER AND WASTE WATER SUPERINTENDENT. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 08-15-01 passed and approved. Craig Walker is appointed as the water and waste water superintendent.
Council reviewed a draft golf cart ordinance. Suggested changes were to reword the insurance requirements and to add a definition of child or children. Council will discuss this topic at a future meeting.
Administrator Ward will be sending out RFPs for a housing needs assessment. Tax credits may be available if requirements meet IRS rules. Council would like to sell the 3 lots on Q Avenue by sealed bids. A resolution will be prepared for the next council meeting.
Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM LANDFILL/COMPOST/RECYCLE FUND TO GENERAL FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 08-15-02 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Vermedahl to approve a sidewalk reimbursement to Lyle Hines, 909 S 8th Avenue for $500.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Hessenius to approve a sidewalk reimbursement to Lesa and Brett Caspers, 911 8th Avenue for $500.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Parmater to approve a sidewalk reimbursements to James and Kathryn Flaugh, 303 E 8th Street for $500.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Nate Kass stated the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 13th Street will need to be repaired. Council’s general consensus was to wait until next spring to do the repairs.
Administrator Ward stated the Iowa League of Cities is in Cedar Rapids from Sept. 23 to 25. The sewer department mower was ordered.
Clerk reported the new postage machine was delivered, Ben Carhoff, Hart-Frederick engineer, is working of final paperwork for the W 13th Street project and the Mediacom water tower lease has expired.
Good & Welfare: The River Rats did a great job on the river clean up.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:50 p.m..
_______________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk